July 15, 2022
This coming Lord's Day we have the joy of baptizing several covenant children. Baptism is a sign and a seal of the covenant of grace, symbolizing and confirming the believer's union with Jesus Christ and all the benefits of the covenant of grace, such as forgiveness of sins, regeneration, adoption, and the new life and eternal life that is ours in Christ. The washing with water has been ordained by Jesus to picture the cleansing that believers have by the blood of Jesus and the Spirit of Jesus. By baptism we are solemnly and formally admitted into the visible church, and enter into "an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord's" (Westminster Larger Catechism #165).
Presbyterians believe that believers and their children are to receive the sign of initiation into the covenant community, based on God's commandment to Abraham in the old covenant. Far from abrogating that command in the new, He has re-emphasized it by teaching that baptism has replaced circumcision in the new covenant sign of cleansing (Colossians 2:11-12), declaring in I Corinthians 7:14 that the children of even one believer are "holy" (i.e., set apart from the world to be devoted to God); by reminding us that His covenant promises are still to us and to our children (Acts 2:38); by Jesus' welcoming even infants to Himself (Luke 18:15-16), and by issuing forth commandments to children in the covenant community (e.g., Ephesians 6:1ff.), thus showing their covenant membership in the visible church.
We also believe that baptism is a sacrament that has ongoing import. As our Larger Catechism teaches, based upon the way that the New Testament authors use the truth of baptism in their writings, we are to "improve" our baptism (i.e., take advantage of it for good) every time we see someone else being baptized, and every time we are tempted by sin. Here's an outline of Larger Catechism #167, which asks, "How is our baptism to be improved by us?"
By serious and thankful considerations of
the nature of it,
and of the ends for which Christ instituted it,
the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby,
and our solemn vow made therein;
by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements;
by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament;
by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Jesus, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace;
and by endeavoring
to live by faith,
to have our conversation (i.e., our life) in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ;
and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.
May the Lord prepare us to rejoice in the way He is building His visible church, and to renew our vows to Him for all His grace to us!
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Vacation Bible School begins on Monday! To me, VBS is one of the most enjoyable weeks of the year here at POPC, for a variety of reasons.
Beginning with the most mundane, it's nice getting to wear shorts to work, since I have typically worked with the Recreation Team. I love how that role has allowed me to get to know the children of our church (as well as the youth helpers) in a completely different setting than from my pulpit ministry. We have a lot of children at POPC, and it is difficult for me to learn all their names - so weeks like VBS are helpful for me to get to spend a little more time with them and learn who they are and what they are like.
I also appreciate how VBS brings the saints together to serve and use their gifts alongside one another for multiple days in a row - it's an encouragement to my heart to see the campus bustling with our members. If you're looking to get to know people in our congregation better, VBS is a great opportunity.
Obviously the main point of VBS is to bring the gospel of Jesus to the children of our church and to those visitors who have never heard the gospel. To hear children learning God's word together, and singing praises to God together, is a rich blessing.
If you haven't yet signed up to volunteer, or to bring snacks to feed our volunteers, it isn't too late! See the contact info below.
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You'll notice on Sunday that our Sanctuary building is steeple-less. The roof under our old steeple has been leaking into the attic for some time, and eventually it was determined that the steeple itself needed to be replaced. The new steeple should be in place in several weeks, Lord willing! Our Deacons and Maintenance Director Edwin Lewis have been working hard on many projects around the campus, so be sure to say "Thank you!" when you see one of them!